Family
Family is incredibly important to Kirei. Possibly the most important thing. With it, she feels like she can handle just about anything. Without it, she is utterly lost.
But family means many different things to many different people. To some, it means the people who are related to you by blood. Parents. Siblings. Children. To others, it means the organization that they belong to. People gathering together over a common goal. Some people cherish their family, and draw strength from it. Others see it as something to escape by any means possible.
Kirei defines family as those who are dear to her. Blood relatives are a part of that. But so are her friends. In her eyes, teachers, coworkers, cherished pets...even the shopkeeper of a favorite shop can be family. Family are those that you trust and love...and who trust and love you in return. She believes very strongly that you choose your family for yourself. And in some cases, they choose you.
Her views on family were formed at a very young age. The man she believes is her father betrayed her over and over again. For as far back as she can remember, he alternately abused her, and forced her to fend for herself, living on the streets of Rynmere. The very first lesson she learned as a child is that blood ties mean little. While living on the streets, she met a friend who stuck with her through everything. They helped each other to survive a very rough life surrounded by enemies, and they kept each other from giving up in the face of how harsh life could be. He saved her many times over the arcs, and in many different ways...as many times and in as many ways as she saved him. They met by chance, but they chose each other. And from that, Kirei learned that people could be family even if they weren't related by blood. Family was something that you chose for yourself.